Monthly Archives: February 2014

Did you know that 4 out of 5 kids will try drugs and/or alcohol before their senior year of high school and over half of all kids will have tried an illicit drug prior to senior year? These are national statistics but this epidemic has infiltrated our county as well. We’re losing children to overdose and incarceration due to drug use. This has to stop!

For this reason, Forsyth County has recently created the Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council. This council is tasked with educating residents on drug use in the county, promoting prevention programs and providing lists of resources for residents on what do to when they suspect a loved one is abusing drugs or alcohol. Find more information at www.forsythcountydrugawarenesscouncil.org.

The council started meeting in 2013 and is led by County Commissioner, Cindy Mills. This “task force” of sorts encompasses members from law enforcement, justice officials, non-profits, health care, Forsyth County Schools, parents, business owners, and other community groups. Their first Drug Summit was held in November 2013 with an overwhelming turnout of over 500 people! You can view the entire summit in full on you tube. Just search for Forsyth County Drug Summit.

The next drug summit will be held FEBRUARY 25TH AT 7PM AT FORSYTH CONFERENCE CENTER. 3410 Ronald Reagan Blvd, Cumming, GA . If you have kids or grandkids, if you have neighbors with kids, if you have an addict in the family (which most of us do) please don’t miss this!! This is new information so if you attended the last summit, this will add to that information. Topics to be addressed: the types of drugs kids are exposed to, what to look for in your kids, what can lead to drug use and resources if you have a loved one with substance abuse issues. Booths will be set up for additional resources and for private discussions after the speakers.

Our goal is to prevent youth from trying drugs and alcohol. Addiction is a disease. You never know whom it will hit and like cancer, it can only be overcome with treatment. Whether you are trying to prevent your child from using or have a child that is using, you need to be at this event. Knowledge is power.

If you know or suspect your child is using come to the newly formed Parent Connect Meeting, every Thursday night, Creekside Church, 7pm, RM 205, Peachtree Parkway. This is a support group for parents of kids with substance abuse issues.